Cape Coral Police have person of interest in missing man case

The Cape Coral Police Department held a press conference on Friday regarding the missing man, Barry James Schmalbach, 56, who vanished nearly two weeks ago.

According to Cape Coral Police Chief Anthony Sizemore, have a person of interest but did not name them.

“At this time, we do have a person of interest,” the chief said. “However, I’m unable to name that person today.”

They did describe this person as not always cooperative but communicating.

They also said detectives suspect foul play, and they are searching multiple counties for Schmalbach.

“It’s heart-wrenching. We know what this could mean. And to be honest, our number one concern is still finding Barry,” said Emily Scaletta, Barry’s half-sister said.

On Thursday police arrested Schmalbach’s boyfriend, Christopher Davis, for an active warrant out of Columbia, South Carolina.

“Gathering information from him that was pertinent to the case,” said Sizemore. “I mean, obviously, you can imagine when somebody gets arrested, their willingness to cooperate, provide information dries up.”

“Truthfully, we have no idea. We haven’t known him too long. We don’t want to speculate anything. We are aware that he has been arrested on other charges, but nothing that has been related to Barry,” said Scaletta.

The investigation is still active, so certain details could not be shared during the press conference. They said they have collected both physical and digital evidence.

“Multiple search warrants have been executed,” said Sizemore, “numerous articles of digital and physical evidence have been gathered and are being processed as we speak.”

“He was great. He was so intelligent with so many things. He never ceases to amaze me,” said Scaletta.

Police ask anyone with information to contact Cape Coral Police or Crime Stoppers.

WINK News will update this article with more information when it becomes available.